Andrew Pace
The transition from a hockey rink to a basketball court is a fascinating process that occurs in arenas across the country. This transformation is necessary due to the overlap in seasons for professional basketball and hockey leagues, and the shared use of arenas by teams from both sports. The process typically involves removing the walls and glass panels surrounding the hockey rink, and covering the ice with large pieces of insulated plywood. The basketball court, consisting of around 285 heavy wooden pieces, is then assembled on top of the plywood, creating a stable surface for play. After the basketball game, the court is disassembled, and the arena is prepared for the next hockey game. The process can be completed in as little as 90 minutes with a large crew or take up to a full day with fewer workers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for transformation | 90 minutes to a full day |
| Ice removal | No, it remains frozen throughout the season |
| Ice thickness | 1 inch |
| Basketball court sliding on ice | Doesn't slide due to weight |
| Temperature control | Concrete floor embedded with temperature control mechanisms |
| Temperature | 16 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Transformation process | Removal of walls and glass panels, laying out of insulated plywood, piecing together of basketball court |
| Tools required | Ice rink liners, boards and brackets, water source, leveling tools |
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What You'll Learn
The ice is retained, not melted
When it comes to switching from a hockey rink to a basketball court, the ice is usually retained and not melted. This is made possible by the use of special flooring laid on top of the ice. The process typically involves removing the walls and glass panels surrounding the hockey rink, and then covering the ice with interlocking mats made from rubber or a fibreglass-foam composite. On top of these mats, deck boards topped with basketball-ready parquet are carefully laid out to form the basketball court. This transformation process can be completed in as little as 90 minutes with a large crew.
The basketball court is designed to be heavy enough to stay in place on top of the ice, weighing around 26.5 tons. It is composed of numerous pieces of wood that interlock together, with each piece weighing between 175 and 190 pounds. This weight helps to prevent the basketball court from sliding on the ice during gameplay.
Retaining the ice instead of melting it offers several advantages. Firstly, it saves time and resources by eliminating the need for melting and refreezing the ice for each sport. Secondly, it allows for greater flexibility in scheduling basketball and hockey games in the same arena, as the ice can remain in place throughout the hockey season.
The ice itself is engineered to be strong and durable. It is constructed from multiple thin layers of ice, with each layer being approximately two inches thick. This layered construction ensures that the ice can withstand the weight of the basketball court and the players without melting. Additionally, the ice is maintained at a temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit using chillers to prevent melting.
While retaining the ice is a common practice, there may be instances when the ice needs to be removed, such as at the end of the hockey season. In such cases, the brinewater underneath the ice is warmed to initiate the melting process. Once the ice has softened sufficiently, it is broken up and removed using front-end loaders or similar equipment.
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The basketball court is laid on top of the ice
Arenas across the country host both basketball and hockey teams, which means that the facilities need to be shared. This involves converting the ice hockey rink into a basketball court and back again. This process can be done in as little as 90 minutes with a large crew or take up to a full day with a smaller crew.
The ice is not removed or melted when converting the hockey rink into a basketball court. Instead, it is kept frozen throughout the basketball season. The ice is maintained at 16 degrees Fahrenheit by chillers that circulate a calcium-chloride solution, or brine water, in the layer of concrete that forms the base of the ice layer.
To convert the rink to a court, the walls and glass panels around the rink are removed. Then, large pieces of insulated plywood are laid out over the ice. The basketball court is then pieced together on top of the plywood. The plywood is essential as it keeps the court warm while maintaining the temperature of the ice. The basketball court is heavy enough that it does not slide on the ice.
Once the basketball season is over, the process is reversed to get the arena ready for hockey again.
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The court is made of insulated plywood
When converting a hockey rink to a basketball court, the ice is not removed. Instead, the rink is covered with a basketball court floor, which is typically made of wood. Wood is naturally porous and susceptible to moisture damage, so basketball court floors are usually made of insulated plywood.
The process of installing a basketball court floor requires expertise and precision. It involves installing plywood blocking, sanding the surface, staining, sealing, painting lines and logos, and applying a finish. The finish is typically oil- or water-based and is reapplied every off-season in the NBA.
The plywood used for basketball court floors is usually maple, as it is harder than other hardwoods and has a tighter grain, making it more durable. Other types of wood used include red oak and parquet. The choice of wood can affect the performance and safety of the players, as well as the aesthetics of the court.
In addition to the choice of wood, the subfloor system is also important. This can range from plywood construction to specialized cushioning systems. The subfloor system helps with shock absorption, ball bounce, and vibration control, enhancing athletic performance.
The insulation of the plywood court is crucial to preventing moisture damage. Improperly insulated piping can create condensation and cause damage to the wood floor. To mitigate this, an 'L'-shaped vented base is used to conceal floor movement and allow humid air to escape.
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The process takes 90 minutes to a day
Arenas with basketball courts and hockey rinks have to switch between the two within a short time frame, sometimes within 90 minutes to a day. This process involves a lot of work and a large team of professionals.
The first step is to remove the walls and glass panels around the hockey rink. Then, large pieces of insulated plywood are laid out over the ice surface. This plywood is essential as it keeps the basketball court warm and the ice cool. The basketball court is then pieced together like a puzzle on top of the plywood. The court is heavy enough to stay in place on its own, so there is no need to worry about it sliding on the ice.
The process is then reversed after the basketball game to prepare for the next hockey game. This typically takes longer than the initial setup, as the ice needs to be maintained at a specific temperature. The ice is kept frozen throughout the basketball season thanks to a calcium-chloride solution (called brinewater) that is circulated in the layer of concrete that forms the base of the ice layer.
The transformation process is a testament to modern technology and efficient teamwork. It is a common practice in many cities with arenas that host both professional basketball and ice hockey teams.
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The rink is transformed overnight
The process typically involves a large crew of workers and specialised equipment. First, the walls and glass panels surrounding the hockey rink are removed. Then, the ice surface is covered with insulated plywood, which serves as a barrier to manage temperature control, keeping the basketball court warm and the ice cool. The basketball court is then assembled on top of the plywood, with each piece carefully fitted together like a puzzle. The court is heavy enough that it doesn't slide on the ice, and it can withstand the weight of the players and the game.
To convert the rink back to a basketball court, the process is simply reversed. After the hockey game, the basketball court is disassembled, the plywood is removed, and the walls and glass panels are put back in place. This transformation process is repeated throughout the sports seasons, with the ice rink typically remaining in place until the hockey season ends.
The technology used in these transformations is essential. Underneath the ice, there is a concrete slab embedded with temperature control mechanisms. This slab is cooled to freezing temperatures using a calcium-chloride solution or brinewater, an antifreeze agent. This innovative system ensures that the ice stays frozen throughout the hockey season, eliminating the need to melt and refreeze the ice for each game.
The transformation of the rink overnight is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the arena staff and the advancements in technology. It allows for the seamless sharing of facilities between basketball and hockey teams, optimising the utilisation of these spaces and accommodating the schedules of multiple sports.
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Frequently asked questions
First, the walls and glass panels around the rink are removed. Then, large pieces of insulated plywood are laid out over the ice. Finally, the basketball court is pieced together on top of the plywood. The plywood keeps the court warm and the ice cool.
Depending on the technology used and the workforce available, the transition can take a few workers an entire day or as few as two dozen workers just 90 minutes.
When the basketball court is no longer needed, the basketball pieces are removed, and the brinewater underneath is warmed and circulated to melt the ice. The ice is then broken up and removed.
A hockey rink requires a smooth, flat surface and a proper draining system for melting ice. If a basketball court is built on a hill or uneven surface, it may not be suitable for use as a hockey rink.
T-Mobile Arena, Staples Center in Los Angeles, and the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, are all examples of arenas that transform from hockey rinks to basketball courts.
